Athlone AC hosts successful half marathon and 10km races

The third staging of the Athlone Athletics Club half marathon and 10km races proved a major success story on Sunday morning.

The attraction of both races continues to resonate with runners with the two distances selling out to participants within weeks of online entry opening to the public.

With weather conditions resplendent on Sunday morning, over 600 competitors started and finished both races on the TUS Athlone campus running track, the predominantly flat route taking in a stretch of the greenway from Athlone to Mullingar.

The half marathon was won by accomplished local runner Mick Fogarty in a time of 1.12.19. The Athlone man, a member of Ferbane AC, is certainly no stranger to winning races across the Midlands and indeed further afield.

The 10km race was won by Lisa Madden in a time of 37.05. Athlone Athletics Club had four runners finish in the top ten places with Enda Dowling, David Cuddy, Monika De Almeida and Derek Stenson all crossing the line with impressive race times.

The event is a fitting tribute to the late Brian Garvey, a lecturer at TUS Athlone, with a huge volunteer effort from Athlone AC members in terms of acting as marshals and helpers and providing the welcome refreshments afterwards.

It was a day to remember for Athlone AC chairperson Martina Connell, the club committee and entire membership, Martina expressing her gratitude to all those who made the staging of both races possible, particularly the event sponsors.

Cllr Frankie Keena, who was present on the TUS track prior to the start of the both races, commended the superb organisation of the event.

"It was great to have such an atmosphere in Athlone on Sunday morning with runners travelling from all over the country to participate in both races.

"I would like to congratulate Martina and her committee for ensuring the event was a success and I look forward to both races returning once again in 2026," Cllr Keena said.